St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1887-10-10
A MINISTER'S JURISDICTION.
The Relation the Pulpit Bears to
Public Questions.

The Relation the Pulpit Bears to
Public Questions.
Rev. M. ID. Shutter, of the Church of
the Redeemer, delivered the following
interesting sermon last evening:
My text is long that will incorporate
it into my sermon. The writer of Ec-
clesiastes says: "There was little
city and a few men within it, and there
came great king against it and be-
sieged it and built great bulwarks
against it." This was an occasion for
the warriors, but the sword of the war
rlOr was not drawn to deliver the city.
Here was an opportunity for the states
man or politician. But no plan was
suggested. The politician was probably
discussing his chances of reelection in
the back room of some saloon. Help
comes from all unexpected quarter.
Nov there was found in it poor, wise
man, and he, by his wisdom, delivered
the city," l do not say that the man
who delivered the city after warrior
and politician had failed. was min
lister, although the presumption might
fact that he was poor" The point of
the story is that here was an eXigency
which those who had charge of public
affairs did not meet. A factor was
wanting that was supplied by one who
neither bore the sword or wore the
robes of Office. The word wisdom
includes the element of righteousness.
The word suggested by this incident is,
that in great national crises, or in the
settlement of all important public ques-
lions, the principles of righteousness
must not be omitted. In reality there
is no difference between the sacred and
Cnan1or. rnal dict motion, hafuQnn
the religious and political. These terms
represent different aspects of that which
is, at the bottom, one and the same.
Everything secular, social and political
every great question that can come
before the peOple-rOOtS itself in some
principle of morals. 1t is within the
province of the minister to discover this
moral element and point it out; to
apply the great principles Of justice and
love to all the important questions that
agltate the community or nation; to
Splre men to stand upon the side of
truth. The minister is armed with this
prerOgative and is not faithful to his
calling if he fails wisely to exercise it.
From his standpoint he ought to dis
Germ more clearly than others the moral
element in public affairs. Too often
the clergy have been backward. Many
time the infidel and hereto have taken
the lead. Whatever the minister shall
say upon public questions must be
said intelligently. Let him not de-
nOunce or uphold that about which he
knows nothing and will not take pains
to investigate. 1t is well TO have fewer
errors in a sentence than words. 1t is
well to place the opinions of others in
the most favorable rather than in the
worst possible light. | am aware that
to do this would call for sacrifice of
much brilliant VltuperatiOn, and would
not please quite so we'll the religious
'grOundlings," but the lasting effect for
good would always be worth the tenn
pOrary loss. The truth itself is often
neutralized by the spirit in which it is too
evidently spoken. The minister should
try to do better than to give his congre-
CATION two grains of wheat in two BUSH
els of abuse. The minister must speak
upon all public questions. not as parti-
san. but upon the broadcast grounds of
righteousness and patriotism. How
difficult 1t is to see or admit that one
who differs with us may be equally sin
cere and equally DESTROYS of seeing the
right triumph. We need to remember
this in dealing with such questions as
temperance and the relations of capital
and labor. We need to search patiently
for the truth on all sides, and should re-
frain from hastily denouncing as dis
honest those who may be holding truth
that is needed to complete our own. If I
it is possible to attribute to those who
differ with us the slightest sincerity, it
is not we'll to withhold the concession.
The minister is citizen. He is entitled
to the rights and ought to perform the
duties of citizen. He is interested as
much as any one in making this land
what it should be. ''When reforms are
in their germination,' says DR.. Austin
Phelps, lis the time for the clerical
hand to insert itself in methods of wise
and temperate control. That then the
clergy should be leaders. not followers,
does not admit of question. The people
have no other leaders whose prerOgative
is so sure" Let them not walt until
the questions are settled. Let them not
wait until their pulpits have been cast
up as driftwoOd along the mighty cur
rents of the worlds life and thought!